My friend, Lisa, told me that she was so excited about a movie coming out about the Borrowers, her favorite book from childhood. I vaguely remembered the book, and took another look at it, she was right, its such a fantastic story. I think it spoke to me more as an adult than it did as a kid. I'm trying to read it to Sugarwings, but the fact that it is based in England years ago, makes the language a little too difficult for her.
She held up all of her fingers and told me to read it to her again when she was that many.
But I took her to the movie as soon as it opened and now she rates Arietty right up there with Ariel and Dorothy as her favorite heroines. And I agree. The movie was so beautifully done, I couldn't get enough of the artwork. Even Sugarwings, as lost in the story as she was, kept pointing out how pretty everything was and was asking me the names of the painted flowers.
The next morning after seeing the show, I surprised my fairy grand baby by leaving a pearl topped pin on the breakfast table (after snipping the sharp end off with wire cutters). Arietty sports a pin she found and tucked into her dress, as a sword, and even uses it to save her Mother's life at one point.
We are now writing a series of notes with little gifts to leave for the Borrowers who live in our own walls and have been making up stories about Sugarwings and Arietty playing with the kitties in our garden.
As a thank you to Lisa for sparking my interest in this story that my little one and I both love so much, I made this page for the Round Robin Swap that we are both in, to add to her book.
I took the ideas from the novel, about the teeny people "borrowing" ordinary things from the human beans in the house and re-purposing them for use in the walls to make a cozy place to live. The book describes letters hung sideways on the wall to make vertical striped wallpaper, and pictures of the queen (stamps) hung on the wall along with a ladies watch as a clock.
Arietty's mom adored a picture of the ocean taken from a card, and I came as close as I could by cutting out a picture from an old postcard that featured water.
The dining table is made from a playing card box, the vase is a thimble, and the table cloth is a lace scrap. On the table is a letter written with a quill pen and Arietty's sword/pin.
Popsicle sticks, rubbed with ink make up the floor. When it came to seating at the table, i was stumped because I wanted to use spools like in the book, but was also trying to keep the page flat enough to fit in the book, so I drew some spools on card stock, cut them out and wrapped thread around them.
I had some trouble finding just the right stamps, so I asked Beth if she had any I could use. Here is a sample of her pile of stamps I had to chose from! I was able to pick out not only the perfect pictures, but I love the colors they were too, I think they compliment the other colors I already had in the page.
The other thing I was lacking was a thimble. Not a single one, anywhere in my studio. So, of course, i asked Beth, who has everything.
Not only did she have a selection of regular sized thimbles, she brought out a Monopoly game piece one that is what I ended up using.
While I was in KC visiting Beth, we hit a few estate sales. I bought this old jewelry box for its faded pink interior. At the same sale, I found a pile of keys for a good price and bought a bagful. Beth bought was what left, I hadn't realized she was interested, or I'd have offered to split them.
But while I was looking for stamps at her house, I saw all of these, so didn't feel so bad about not sharing. I envy her piles of goodies!
It was an okay estate sale day, I've seen better. But we had such a good time, I told her she could take me to the Dollar Store instead and I'd enjoy it just as much. It was the company that counted.
Besides the keys and box, and a few other little tidbits, I bought at set of vintage cut glass drinking glasses for $12 and this other new stuff for my kitchen. Sugarwings and Dewdrop will enjoy the little white pitchers at our next tea party. Its time to start showing that littlest fairy how to pour her own cream!
Beth and I worked on bagging up her kits for Paper Cowgirls. I still have mine to do yet. I probably should not have taken the day off to go and play in KC, that was one more thing that was NOT on my list of what I need to be getting done.
But it will all get done somehow. I'm sure of it. Or at least that is what I tell myself…
I'll have some more round robin pages to show you this week. I made quite a few of them this week. The books are being sent to Somerset, so this week, I'll need to label all the pages and pack them up. I'll snap a few more photos as I do.
Lovely post Karla! I also adored the “Borrowers” as a child..you have made it come to life for me again!
You sure do stay busy! Your homage to The Borrowers is enchanting!
I loved the borrowers too and can’t wait for granddaughters to go see the movie. Will love hearing all about the movie from them. Your page for Lisa is simply adorable. tfs.
Thank you for introducing me to The Borrowers and Arriety! I have just bought a paperback book of the story for my granddaughter. I will take it with me when I go to visit in April. I am hoping she will like it! I had never heard of it.
Thanks so much for sharing this!
She will love it, Judy!
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Thanks for this lovely post. I am taking my grandchildren to see that movie this morning! Now i really can’t wait! Love the ideas of your little projects…..you have me thinking now!
I just love your blog posts. Thanks for sharing.
nice goodies from the sales……I need to get out to a few since the weather has been so very nice. As you well know one can never have too many goodies for our crafts!
Oh, so much fun, pretty stuff. I adore the page you made for The Borrowers. I want to read that book now; it sounds vaguely familiar from childhood but I can’t recall it exactly.
Dear Karla,- also here I have read the borrowers when a child,- and love it, and my sister as well- I have not yet heard if it will be shown here, but if….there is a grandma, whom will take Mathilde to see this 🙂
Thankyou– for telling-
and I can`t help saying, that Beth just is a collector of anything fantastic.
Hugs, Dorthe
I remember that book and an earlier movie with Eddie Albert -love it!!! You may be able to find it on DVD.
Leann
I love your Arietty page, Karla. It is suitable for framing. I’m looking forward to seeing this movie. I loved The Borrowers, book when I read it, but I didn’t read it, until I was a young adult.
My friend Beth sent me a giant thimble vase, that is a Monopoly piece. I’m not sure, maybe it was created for a Monopoly anniversary? Anyhow, I think it’s a wonderful idea, to use a thimble as a vase.
Wouldn’t it be fun to create a book of “borrowed things”?
I’ve purchased a lot of wonderful things from Beth. She has a great eye for old things, and is a great “shopkeeper”. I love how she, and you too, package our purchases. It feels like a gift when they arrive.
Best wishes!
It is delightful that you and Sugarwings have a new imaginary best friend to join Ariel and Dorothy in playtime. Even better that you got to draw on and involve some of your real best friends to create that playtime!
Your list will get done eventually. Meanwhile may you continue to discover unexpected happiness. *hug*
I have to see this movie – loved your post!
I highly recommend the movie! The same artist did Spirited Away, which was also beautiful to watch.
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Not having children or grandchildren certainly has its drawbacks. I’m going to watch for “Arietty” when it comes out on DVD. It sounds so charming! Thanks for sharing your beautiful images with us!
Oh, Karla — what a childhood you are sharing with Sugarwings! I always loved the Borrowers, though I didn’t discover it till I was an adult! But those little make-do houses for little creatures got me from the day I read Stuart Little for the first time! Just reading this after a long day makes me smile, smile, smile!